5 Questions to Ask in a Job Interview

Apr 16, 2019

You’ve perfected your CV, sent off your application, and been invited to an interview. It’s only natural that you’re going to want to make the best impression, answering all the questions to the best of your ability, and ensuring you come across as the perfect employee.

However, it’s important to remember that a job interview goes both ways. Whilst is the interviewer assessing whether you’re the right fit for the role, you should be assessing if the job and company is right for you. It’s always advisable to have a couple of questions prepared for the inevitable ‘Is there anything you’d like to ask us?’, but you should also think about the questions that will help you decide if the job is the right one for you.

Whether you’re going for a customer service position, a job within a dealership, or a technician role, here are just a few of the questions you might consider asking at your next automotive interview.

What is the team like?

It’s important to get a feel for the people you’ll be working with and the structure of the team. Is it a flat structure, or more hierarchical? Is the team large or small? Will there be multiple people doing the same role as you, or will just be yourself? All these factors can give you a sense as to whether this is the type of team you’ll thrive in.

What does a typical day look like?

The job description may outline the overall responsibilities of the role, but asking about the day-to-day duties is a good way to give you a little more insight, and the opportunity to ask any more questions you may arise from this.

What do you enjoy most?

This is a great way to heat from the interview themselves about what they like about the company. Maybe they love their team, the opportunities available, or the support from management. It’s always good to hear from people that speak positively about their workplace, and assess whether these are things you would enjoy too.

What are the opportunities for development and progress?

This shows your potential employer that you’re driven and ambitious, but also give you an idea about how invested the company will be in you. If you’re looking to progress and work your way up within a company, it’s good to get an idea as to whether this will be possible.

What are the next steps?

If you don’t want to spend the next few days obsessively checking your emails and missed calls, it’s a good idea to find out exactly what you can expect to happen next. Will there be second stage interviews, or maybe you’ll have a task to complete? Asking about the next steps not only gives you peace of mind, it also shows the interviewer that you’re dedicated and keen to hear back from them.

Avoid asking questions about salary, holiday and other benefits in a first stage interview. You may be asked about your salary expectations, but it’s best not to bring these points up yourself. They’ll most likely be addressed later on in the recruitment process.

If you want to find out more about how we can help you find the perfect automotive job (and help you prepare for your first interview) don’t hesitate to get in touch!